Daily Readings for September 8, 2018

Feast of the Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary 

1st READING

Mary is both an example of the virtuous life and obedience to God’s will. As we celebrate her birthday today, let us remember our calling and respond more faithfully to it. Let us also ask for Mary’s intercession as we struggle with being a disciple of Jesus.

Micah 5:1-4 (or Romans 8:28-30)

1 The Lord says: You, Bethlehem-Ephrathah too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel; whose origin is from of old, from ancient times. 2 (Therefore the Lord will give them up, until the time when she who is to give birth has borne, and the rest of his brethren shall return to the children of Israel.) 3 He shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; and they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; 4 he shall be peace.

P S A L M 

Psalm 13:6, 6

R: With delight I rejoice in the Lord.

5 [6] Though I trusted in your mercy, let my heart rejoice in your salvation. (R) Let me sing of the Lord, “He has been good to me.” (R)

GOSPEL 

Mary’s family must have rejected her because of her pregnancy. Scholars believe that she and Joseph were turned away by one inn after another because of their unconventional relationship — Joseph is not the father of her child. They sought refuge in Egypt to avoid death by Herod’s decree.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

Blessed are you, holy Virgin Mary, deserving of all praise; from you rose the sun of justice, Christ our God.

Matthew 1:18-23 (or Matthew 1:1-16, 18-23)

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about. When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man, yet unwilling to expose her to shame, decided to divorce her quietly. 20 Such was his intention when, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. For it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her. 21 She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel, which means “God is with us.”